Letter: Bring Bible literacy back to our region

Tuesday

Mar 18, 2014 at 3:59 PM

The 2014 Barna Group Study of most/least Bible-minded cities across the U.S. has been published. Of the 100 metropolitan areas represented, Providence and New Bedford are tied for last place. Up until 1998, that finding of “least Bible-minded” would certainly have included me. However, something happened to change that. I'd love to share and challenge whoever reads this to consider my experience and appeal.

The 2014 Barna Group Study of most/least Bible-minded cities across the U.S. has been published. Of the 100 metropolitan areas represented, Providence and New Bedford are tied for last place. Up until 1998, that finding of “least Bible-minded” would certainly have included me. However, something happened to change that. I’d love to share and challenge whoever reads this to consider my experience and appeal.

On the surface, I came through the ranks of a religious family; even attending a religiously named elementary school and church regularly. In my best recollection, we didn’t have a Bible in the house and never spent a single moment together reading one as a family. We relied on what others told us about the Bible and the many details concerning God. Built on that naive trust, during my high school years, I literally followed the foolish and flip advice of someone who told me not to read the Bible because the main character died in the middle.

After 52 years of operating in an essentially Biblically valueless, practical life, I began to read one for myself. Over the next 15 years, not only did I discover that the main character didn’t end in death, I found out what a unique book it is and what Jesus actually thought, said, and did. As a result of my reading what God has to say, I’ve exchanged the trinity of “me, myself, and I” for believing in a creator, forgiving redeemer, and living deity.

The Bible has been described as supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, inexpressible in valor, infinite in scope, regenerative in power, infallible in authority, universal in interest, personal in application, and inspired in totality. The Word of God is also touted as a first-rate treasure that contains guidelines for us to grow in wisdom and stature.

For some upside down reason, the statistic of our area being last in Bible-mindedness brings me great hope. There is only one way for us in this current situation — and that’s up! Please let your sense of fairness and curiosity lead you to pick up and read/reread a Bible.

Friends, let’s do our Providence/New Bedford area an immeasurably positive favor. If we begin to connect the good Biblical truths many of our churches preach with the personal spiritual power, courage, and integrity necessary to act them out, we’ll be on our way.

Once again, my appeal to you to improve our area’s Bible-minded ranking is to honestly read and study the Bible for yourself.